Monday September 26, 2022
FOX 28 —
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFD) announced on Friday that it will be expanding its chronic wasting disease (CWD) surveillance program in eastern Washington’s Region 1, which includes Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla and Whitman counties.
During this year’s deer hunting season, WDFW staff will take samples from harvested deer and elk at voluntary check stations and talking to hunters to answer questions they might have about CWD.
CWD is a fatal illness for the animal family that includes deer, elk, moose and caribou. It is caused by mutated proteins known as prions, which can be spread between animals through feces, saliva, urine and other bodily fluids.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have not been any identified cases of CWD infection in people, but research shows the disease could pose a risk to people.